Sometimes I find myself thinking of apocalyptic scenarios in order to avoid doing something I don't want to do. Like, say I have to go gas up my car I'll think. "You know if an extinction level asteroid collided with the earth I wouldn't have to deal with that right now." Or actively hoping for a zombie plauge in order to avoid having to drive across town and take my watch to the jewlers for repair.
Then I pause and reflect, "hmm...that's a tad overkill for the situation don't you think?" At that point I just hope for a near-extinction level asteroid or small and contained zombie outbreak.